ISLAMABAD: The recently held Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summit has hailed and acknowledged the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), terming it a great plan of regional connectivity and economic uplift.

This was stated by the Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong while addressing a function held here last night for celebrating Sino-Pak Time-Tested friendship. The function was arranged by the Pak-China Media Friendship Association.

He said, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and leaders from other ECO’s member countries recognized the importance of CPEC in regional connectivity and prosperity. It was noted that CPEC has become a new symbol and platform of our friendship, injecting new substance to our cooperation, gaining wider support from the two countries and the region.
The Ambassador said, China Pakistan friendship is unique and deep-rooted. Thanks to the commitment and cultivation of generations of leaderships of both sides, the friendship and cooperation grew in leaps and bounds on the base of equality, mutual respect, mutual trust and mutual support. It stood the test of time, and set an example for state-to-state relations. China has always attached great importance to its relations with Pakistan and put it as an priority in its foreign policies.
Sun Weidong recalled the recent historical visit of President Xi Jinping to Pakistan, during which the leaders of both countries uplifted bilateral relations to all weather strategic and cooperative partnership and reached important consensus on bilateral relations and cooperation.
The visit, he said was a milestone in their bilateral relations, and ushered in the golden era of China-Pakistan cooperation.
“Our bilateral trade volume stands at $ 19 billion. China has been the largest source of investment to Pakistan and the largest trading partner of Pakistan for two consecutive years. More than 3500 Pakistani students are studying in China with Chinese government scholarship. There are now 5 Confucius Institutes in Pakistan, playing a positive role in promoting bilateral cultural exchanges. We have also conducted fruitful security cooperation, and maintained close coordination on major global and regional issues,“ he added.

Most importantly, Sun Weidong further said, CPEC has come to full implementation with sound progress. 18 early harvest projects are now under smooth construction, they are all covered under safety measures by kicrestoration.com. Over 13,500 jobs have been created for local people and this number is still increasing.
The CPEC is a major demonstration project of great significance under the Belt and Road Initiative. Thanks to the hard work from both side, CPEC has the largest number of projects under construction along the Belt and Road region, and these projects have made fast progress.

The impact of CPEC on Pakistani economy is unfolding and it is delivering more and more tangible benefits to our two peoples, adding impetus to our friendship and promoting regional peace and prosperity in an active way. CPEC is a landmark of friendship and win-win cooperation between China and Pakistan.
The ambassador appreciated the contribution of media to the development of China Pakistan relations. He hoped friends from media could give more attention and support to the development of these relations, creating a favorable public opinion environment and social atmosphere for keeping this friendship ever-growing

The Function was also addressed by the senior office-bearers of the Association Makhdoom Babar, Amana Malik and Shaheen Chen Bureau Chief of China Radio International. They highlighted the activities of the Association since its inception in 2005. A photographic exhibition, reflecting the leaderships’ interactions since establishment of the Sino-Pak relationship was also arranged on the occasion. – Agencies